Darryl and Friends | Crazy Ex-Girlfriend Analysis

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[@girlwithbowler]

As a fellow bisexual, Darryl is so important to me personally. The sequence where he first gets to talk to WhiJo and deflects how he finds him attractive by calling him his "fitspiration" feels incredibly in line with the queer experience. I constantly denied my feelings for women by saying I "admired them" and "I wanted to be like them" when in fact I wanted to be with them.

[@thevampirefrog06]

"Is this attraction to another woman or is it just some sort of weird internalized male gaze?" a story by my unwittingly bi ass

[@samstarba4569]

@@thevampirefrog06 With you there buddy. I think women in Western countries are, more or less, raised to view world in a bisexual way.

[@nellyrivas7742]

In my mind it was a constant conflict with myself about how "a girl can think another girl is cute or attractive" with me not knowing if it was coming from a place of attraction or genuine admiration. And it's still a bit hard, because a woman can totally think another woman is attractive without being attracted to her, but I also am attracted to women.... it's a whole debate.

[@eileensnow6153]

@@nellyrivas7742 when I was in theater I learned the difference between “this is a great book” and “I loved reading this book”. The distinction is subtle, but it’s there. Some books are classic works of literature but you would prefer to never read them again. I think that’s the difference, and it all comes down to personal taste

[@loiracitr]

I love how White Josh is the one of the group that has his life put together at the beginning of the show

[@despairspreadslikeavirus9333]

I love that this video didn't just analyse Darryl's bisexuality, but also his emotional vulnerability, desperation, neediness and especially his loneliness. I believe that Darryl's loneliness and desperation for relationships is his biggest defining personality trait and thus it makes him a very well rounded character. He makes up for his neediness by being an unbelievably great friend.

[@BecKM94]

Also, how Darryl unconditionally accepts new parts of his identity and is/becomes very excited about them, really fits to him: When we first see him in S1, he really holds on to the 1/8 Chippewa-part of his identity (especially apparent in his office), and then later he learns about himself that he likes both sexes. He says "Oh God, it feels so good to just say that out loud". As soon as he accepts this, he shows pride in his sexuality and wants to tell everyone about it. I think it's a great example of how labels can be also very helpful. I know, some people don't like and reject them, but for Darryl (and many others) identifying as bisexual is a great new way to express a part of who he is and makes him more confident, and open for a new wonderful relationship. Of course, there he's also at first quite over-eager (wanting to introduce White Josh to all his co-workers with a big dinner, aso.), but WhiJo, as one of the most grounded, mature and level-headed characters on the show (and also a very caring, nice and laid-back guy in general) helps him slow down a bit, and both develop a very healthy and beautiful relationship. One that also proves how important communication is in relationships: That you talk with your partner about your insecurities (and your expectations / wishes); they both realise that they think the other doesn't take him serious, that they might be just a fetish / boy toy. But they are actually both on the same page/stage and want something serious with the other and it ends with Darryl introducing WhiJo to his daughter. It's beautiful how they solve their conflict and a great contrast to other couples/relationships on the show. I'm VERY excited to see what will happen with them in S3, now that we know White Josh isn't keen on marrying and Darryl wants to have a baby with him... Man, I REALLY can't wait till Season 3!

[@mx.acacia]

This is such a great breakdown of almost all of the reasons I love Darryl so much, his optimism, always putting himself out there and being available to people, his unorthodox masculinity, his bisexuality and his self acceptance. Another thing I love about Darryl though is that he gets an actual coming out arc. Bisexual character almost never get coming out arcs the way gay characters do. Bisexuals are usually depicted either as simply "into everyone and not putting a label on it" and never really have their sexuality explored except as a sexual plot devise, or are already established as bi when the show/movie/text starts, or its simply never brought up until suddenly this character is sleeping with someone of the same gender and its not really talked about or labeld (this is part of medias fear of using the word bi and usually using other words or simply no words for bi characters sexuality). Either they are bi from the start or they suddenly are bi and its never mentioned or talked about by name. But Darryl, Darryl he gets a coming out arc. He gets to have the moment of realization of same gender attraction, he gets to have the moment of confusion because he also likes the other sex/other genders, he gets to have denial and exploration and self acceptance and he most importantly gets to have an Actual Coming Out Scene and that is so so rare even with good bi representation. Like during the scene where Darryl comes out to White Josh I had to pause the scene several times because I was actually crying because I had never seen a bi coming out scene in my 19 years of life and it meant so much to me (kinda like that twitter hashtag thats been going around Darryl coming out was the #FirstTimeISawMe). And its extra good because he's a bisexual man and bi men have it even worse with bad bi representation and because he's older, not a teen/young adult, and maybe partially because of how sexualized bisexuality is and we dont like to think of middle age and older people being sexual being bi is often only represented in young people. So Darryls bisexuality and his bisexual coming out arc fills so many voids in bi representation and that added with everything you touched on in this video is what makes him so special and important to me and many other bi and non-bi cxg fans great video as usual!

[@BecKM94]

AcaciaFlowers That's a great point about a bisexual person having an actual coming out arc (in a way mostly only gay people ever have on TV)! You put it very well! I thought it was interesting that, when Darryl talked with White Josh at the gym, he seemed more surprised that he might think he didn't like women, instead of being shocked that WhiJo might think he likes men. He begins to justify his attraction to women, but doesn't deny his attraction to White Josh; it's more something that he just hadn't realised before, that his admiration for this man (as his "fitspiration") could mean more... I think when you're in Darryl's age and have had serious long-term relationships with women, the idea of liking both sexes might have never occurred to you. But as soon as he realises this option, he embraces his sexuality and is happy to be able to "just say that out loud". God, I can't describe how important it is to me that they made Darryl bi (instead of gay) and that he's middle-aged instead of, like, a teenager or in his 20s/30s.... I also love how they completely avoided the trope of "gay partner is jealous and afraid that bi partner might cheat on him/her" with his and White Josh's relationship, WhiJo is zero biphobic, and when they have their conflict in episode 2x05 it has nothing to do with their sexualities, but is more about being insecure if the other takes him / means it serious and realizing they both want something serious this with the other, and solving it with maturity, understanding and communication.

[@lesliepohls9319]

I really enjoy the Character of Daryl, it's so refreshing to finally see a Bi person who isn't Slutty McSlutty face, outside of maybe San Junipero, it's the only depiction of a bi person ever in media that ever comes close to reality.

[@despairspreadslikeavirus9333]

Darryl was me growing up. Being lonely and friendless is a pain like no other. It definitely causes psychological trauma and you can develop many neuroses from it. I relate to Darryl the most and Rebecca the second most.

[@Dreamachineries]

Ahhh, yes, an analysis about Darryl!

[@lesliepohls9319]

Does that mean you don't love the general media representation of a bi person whose only thing is sex and maybe evil and more sex? That's what all bisexuals do, since we can have sex with all the people, we definitely want to have sex with every single thing that moves. That's Science.

[@ms.rstake_1211]

+Leslie Pohls wtf!?

[@KarlKristofferJohnsson]

@@ms.rstake_1211 I'm pretty sure Leslie was sarcastic.

[@NatManzano]

Thank you for this analysis and thank you to the show for giving visibility. A bisexual character who is nice, honest and consistent. THAT is what I call a remarkable event.

[@qmechanic]

Daryl is the best! I wish I had his optimism. You mentioned how Daryl is a counterpoint to toxic masculinity. I would love to see this issue expanded upon. Maybe after Season 3 finishes, we could compare and contrast Darryl and Nathaniel, and discuss the cultural pressures of traditional masculinity. I suspect we will see the show comment more on toxic masculinity during Season 3, through their portrayal of Nathaniel and Darryl.

[@paulmartinssmith3446]

Loved this video! In a show full of great characters Darryl has long since been my favourite, as an unorthodox male I've always really related to his enthusiasm, openness and emotional vulnerability. It also helps that Pete Gardner absolutely slays in every scene he's in. Rewatching the pilot for the first time he was a highlight, from his first moments he knows exactly who Darryl is supposed to be, and throws himself into the role. Can't wait for the show to come back!

[@sophiehobbs9267]

i really love this analysis! daryll is such a sweetheart

[@RR-qz3zg]

I'm intrigued to see what you think after the moment in the finale episode where he wants to have a baby with White Josh. How Darryl's idea of commitment is very different from Josh's, and how that relates to the gay community and the straight community

[@jamo051]

thank you for doing this video! Daryl and white josh's relationship is the best lgbt relationship I've seen on tv and I'm glad u talked about it. one of the many reasons I love this show:D

[@audumb6481]

These are truly the highlight of my day whenever they upload I truly LIVE for shit like this

[@sarapekel2838]

"I'm not going to tweet my deepest, darkest thoughts out to the internet." *tries not to glance at last night's installment of existential crisis on my tumblr*

[@LS-sg8rb]

Darryl is a sweetie... but an utter HR nightmare. He needs to have a social life outside of the office - not that any of them have appropriate boundaries, except the temp lawyer of "I Feel Like This Isn't About Me".

[@MusicMeg2012]

I'm so pumped for October 13th. Jane the Virgin/Crazy Ex back-to-back is heaven. Also, how fitting is it that Rebecca's 'revenge' season is starting on a Friday the 13th?

[@BecKM94]

Wonderful video and analysis of one of the most wonderful and unconventional characters I've ever encountered. Darryl simply warms my heart and makes it grow ten times bigger, I simply can't stop re-watching all of his (and his + WhiJo's) scenes. I just recently got into CXG (and immediately fell in love with it) and Darryl has become one of my most favourite characters of all time. For one, he's one of the best examples of bi representation I've ever seen, bi men are generally rarely seen in media, through it has become better in the last years (like e.g. we have James Flint (Black Sails), Magnus Bane (Shadowhunters), Jack Harkness & Ianto Jones (Doctor Who/Torchwood), who are all great bi people), but as a middle-aged guy, Darryl really stands out for me. He also completely debunks and subverts/averts every single terrible trope/prejudice about bisexuals: He's not "depraved", he's not a sexualized cheater, his sexuality isn't played as a joke or phase or non-existent. No, instead he's simply a man who likes both sexes (and calls himself even bi! This is a bigger rarity on TV than one might think), but he's also incredibly caring, supportive and warm, his openness and enthusiasm is endearing and I love how sincere, cheerful and optimistic he is. Darryl also shows a sensitivity and emotional vulnerability that should be portrayed more often with male characters! At the same time he's not perfect, he has flaws (but also becomes more self-aware over the time). I really relate to him on many levels, not exactly his clingy and persistent side or his want to please others (tho I'm also very harmony-loving), but the fear/feeling to be too emotional and sensitive for others, his loneliness, to be too over-eager and too enthusiastic, aso. Darryl Whitefeather as a character (his role in the show's context) and as a person and his relationship with White Josh makes me so incredible happy and so hopeful, and god, I can't wait to see more of them in Oktober (especially now that David Hull got promoted to series regular).

[@nmnmtrmrmn6970]

This was a wonderful video, and a great analysis of Darryl's character. I live for content discussing Darryl Whitefeather's contributions to CXGF as a bisexual man and a valuable character-he's definitely my favorite. Your research was also very meticulous and on-point; great job!

[@nickmatthaes5344]

As a middle aged bisexual divorced dad who invests a lot of time and energy into time with his kids and has always had a hard time cultivating friendships I really saw myself in Darryl in a way that's rare.

[@shoesncheese]

I'm a trans woman. CXG never touched on trans issues, but "Getting Bi'" helped me admit that I was also bisexual. I admitted to be transgender before admitting to being bisexual.

[@LS-sg8rb]

I thought AJ was either trans or nonbinary, in the 'this is utterly not a big deal' way.

[@PoseRocks]

@@LS-sg8rb I definitely thought so as well! The androgeny is strong with this one.

[@katiethomas6583]

Can't wait for your season 3 analysis!!

[@crstfrdrnt]

thank you so much for these essays! I'm hooked!

[@brynniecoleman]

YESSS thank you I've been waiting for a Daryl analysis !!

[@frogwhisperer2067]

I don't think its quite to the same extent as Rebecca sees Paula as a surrogate mother, but anyone else think there's any credence to the idea of Rebecca seeing Darryl as a surrogate father-figure?

[@winter5866]

Oh my god I've been waiting for a Daryl video ever since I discovered this channel, YESSSSSS❤️❤️

[@MrJasePark]

Another top - notch analysis. Keep up the great work and thank you for helping me look into these ideas from Crazy Ex-Girlfriend. 👍👍👍

[@nanajiloh]

My favorite, underrated character in CXGF.

[@charlotterobinson6044]

TO HIM AND WHITE JOSH I WISH ALL THE BEST OH NO

[@foxmuIder]

It's such a great video! I loved your analysis ✨

[@ellenjohnson782]

Your videos are so incredibly insightful!

[@aljosathewise]

Great analysis! Love the show

[@somethinguncreative]

Thank you for this! You have such a great analytical brain and this video helped me pinpoint why I like Darryl so much. I'm still on my Crazy Ex-Girlfriend journey, but I knew I liked Darryl and I couldn't understand why. Alot of the time the show will portray a character warts and all and at first it was hard to tell if that was intended to make us like or dislike this character. The more I'm watching though, the more it seems like this show doesn't try to dictate who to like and who not to like. It breaks from traditional narratives by not presenting good v. evil while still setting up personal conflicts between characters. Everyone has depth and layers and where has this show been all my life?

[@angelaavalon]

I love your videos! They are so insightful. I would really like to see you explore the dynamic between Darryl and Mia. He's so kind to everyone, but why not with Mia?

[@Bailey143UK]

Perfect!

[@scarlett192]

I feel like I analyze the TV I watch really thoroughly, and then one of your videos comes out and blows my mind! Thanks! Out of curiosity, how much time would you say it takes to write an essay and assemble a video?

[@BlueGeen]

God, I love Darryl.

[@theadamblock]

Eyebrows to rival the great Eugene Levy

[@laurenescarcha3246]

I love Darryl and Josh together. They're really working on their relationship and it's beautiful.

[@moviesaredope]

Oh thank god - I got recommended this seconds after posting my own Darryl video & got panicked I accidentally copied you (don't worry, I didn't *phew*)

[@JeriLeighK]

I’m a Daryl and proud!

[@jakewayne4245]

you talk about Darryl Whitefeather in season 4.

[@user-ze6xh9lr3x]

what's that clip at the end? i don't remember it from the show

[@BagelsAfterMidnight]

That would be "Son of Zorn" episode 112, where Pete Gardner played the coach

[@annadownya7754]

I love your insights on These characters. Darryl makes such a great "both-sexual", and I love his representation. The issue too I think with bi characters reminds me of something Michael Thomas Ford wrote. He was asked (as a gay man) about the lgbtq community's sometimes seemingly hostile attitude towards its bi members. He was forced to come up with something on the fly as he hadn't really thought of it much, and he said that when bi people are in a homosexual relationship, they are very out and seek the support of the community, however when they are in a heterosexual relationship and able to blend in, they often turn their back on it because they don't need them anymore. This becomes a point of contention for people who can't hide that way, and don't want to have to try. He admitted he wasn't even sure if he actually believed that, but as it was his off the cuff response, it is going to have some truth (whether as something that actually happens, or is at least perceived as happening). Honestly, as a lesbian I have had that issue with certain bi people. I watched them hide in a straight relationship and only bring up the bisexuality for status within the lgbtq community. I'm dying to see how someone as sweet and forthcoming as Darryl develops with white Josh. They are so good for each other. It kinda gives me hope. (Also I want them to do a number like "best worst mistake" from if/then. I kinda feel like that's where they're heading. )

[@qmechanic]

The hostility can be really bad. I talked to a woman involved with preserving lesbian history and she said that years ago, when lesbians in her town were organizing pride marches, someone brought up the idea of including bisexual women. It was extremely controversial and divisive. It split the community into two camps -- those who accepted bi people under the LBGTQ banner and those who didn't.

[@emilywalls8806]

"I watched them hide in a straight relationship and only bring up the bisexuality for status within the lgbtq community." How come when it comes to bisexuals, it's called "hiding", but when it comes to gays, it's called "staying closeted"? No bisexual wants to be in the closet, but society forces many of us into it. And when it's so hard to find a bisexual community, it's hard for a lot of us to find a space to be open about who we are. So maybe instead of complaining about bisexuals being able to stay in the closet more easily than gay people can, complain about the social pressures that push bisexuals (and gays) into the closet.

[@MiracleWinchester]

Tangent: is that Tag? Rachel's Tag @3:00?

[@ieatgremlins]

White Josh is so great.

[@Ashely56]

I wish him and White Josh would have ended up together

[@elenachristian9860]

This is actually a show about our global loneliness.

[@Setsunako6587]

Pause. Was that a SERIAL EXPERIMENTS: LAIN REFERENCE 😍?!!?!?!!

[@BagelsAfterMidnight]

Only the greatest anime op of all time!

[@Ashely56]

Who in ICarly is Bi?

[@brokenquill9277]

Sam I think…

[@christinahan7018]

what is the anime at 1:55?

[@BagelsAfterMidnight]

That's "Serial Experiments Lain," specifically the OP, which has an amazing song, one of the best in anime. I must've been watching that show at the time, but I never finished it

[@e11esounds]

I know Darry's got "good" qualities - not least him portraying a bisexual man but MAN OH MAN does he get on my nerves, the amount of times he ruins it for people and is just plain selfish. The storyline with WhiJo didn't make me feel anything warm towards him either - actually fast forwarded any scenes with him because I couldn't bring myself to care.

[@jamisendinel663]

I love to rewatch these videos! But on the note of bisexuality, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend is notorious for reinforcing the gender binary in the lyrics of their song and detrimentally in the Gettin’ Bi song. Bisexuality in definition is not limited to just liking men and women. It can be but non-binary people and other gender variant people exist. And bisexual people are still bi if they like non-binary people. Bisexuality is not transphobic